Faith of a Child

My grandkids were so excited on Palm Sunday because they thought Jesus was coming back, when they heard Jesus was riding into town on a donkey. They were like, “Today! Today’s the day he comes back?” They were very disappointed when they realized Sunday wasn’t the actual day. The faith of a child is what we all need.

Jesus said suffer the little children to come to me. Every child is a gift from God. This Sunday we had two baby dedications at church. The story of Hannah in 1 Samuel chapter one demonstrates purpose of dedication. 

Hannah’s Cry

It starts with a man named Elkanah who had two wives. This seems like a bad idea to me. I can’t image being able to keep two wives happy. However, each year Elkanah and his families journeyed to the Tabernacle at Shiloh to worship the Lord. On the day he presented his sacrifice, Elkanah would celebrate the happy occasion by giving presents to Peninnah and her children; but although he loved Hannah very much, he could give her only one present, because she had no children to give presents to. Peninnah made matters worse by teasing and laughing at Hannah because of her barrenness. 

Every year it was the same. One year Hannah was crying so much that she couldn’t eat. “What’s the matter, Hannah?” Elkanah asked. “Why aren’t you eating? Why make such a fuss over having no children? Isn’t having me better than having ten sons?”

I know ladies. . . typical man.

Hannah’s Prayer

That evening, after supper, Hannah went over to the Tabernacle. She was in deep anguish and was crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord.

And she made this vow: “O Lord of heaven, if you will look down upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you, and he’ll be yours for his entire lifetime.”

And, God granted Hannah’s request. She gave birth to a son and named him Samuel, which means “asked of God.”

And, Hannah kept her promise to God. When the baby was able to eat solid foods, she took Samuel to the Tabernacle in Shiloh.

She said to Eli the priest, “I am the woman who stood here that time praying to the Lord! I asked him to give me this child, and he has given me my request; and now I am giving him to the Lord for as long as he lives.” So she left him there at the Tabernacle for the Lord to use. That’s real dedication!

Real Joy

Now, we don’t ask parents to leave their child at church for the rest of his or her life. We do ask parents to make a declaration that they are giving their child back to God; that they will raise him or her to know the love of God; that they will bring the child to church where they can worship with the family of God. 

Jesus first entered our world as a tiny infant, born in a stable in Bethlehem. It was just a few miles south of his tomb in Jerusalem. He emerged from the stable as a fragile, vulnerable, refugee and was met by an audience of shepherds. On Easter, he emerged from the tomb as the Everlasting Good Shepherd. 

We must come with the faith of a child, leaving all of our adult baggage at the door. This will start us on the road to experiencing joy. Then, maybe we’ll be as excited as my grandkids when we hear Jesus is coming back.

Also, see Faith Makes All Things Possible.

Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear